My name is Erin. I enjoy learning about health, nutrition, fitness, recipes, etc. Since then I've learned how to make the right food choices. I'm working hard to reach my goals and still have a long way to go. I'm involved in many unique opportunities. It's very relaxing and helps me be creative. Joining SP has been great. I love to meet others and be encouraged to reach my goals in health and fitness.

As of 9/3/2011, I got married to a wonderful man, Kevin! We've known ...

My name is Erin. I enjoy learning about health, nutrition, fitness, recipes, etc. Since then I've learned how to make the right food choices. I'm working hard to reach my goals and still have a long way to go. I'm involved in many unique opportunities. It's very relaxing and helps me be creative. Joining SP has been great. I love to meet others and be encouraged to reach my goals in health and fitness.

As of 9/3/2011, I got married to a wonderful man, Kevin! We've known each other for a long time and recently decided to legally commit ourselves to each other. We are happy we finally did it. He does write poems and here is a few that he wrote I would like to share:

My Special Lady - Poem he wrote for me!

I awoke this morning with a smile For I thought of her again This special lady, this special friend We’ve been through some good times We’ve been through some sad For life has its ups and downs But there have been more smiles than frowns This lady plays violin But she doesn’t fiddle around Though at times what a thought that be Oh, once in a while, if she would just fiddle with me She’s cute when she does her Loon And she always knows the tune And she knows how to play the part To reach out and touch my heart. Now if you ask if there are days When I wonder if I should go or stay Now and then there’s a calling of the door But I know that’s not what I’m here for For we’re here together to share a laugh, a tear And an occasional root beer. As you can plainly see This lady means a lot to me And if things go perfectly right, I’ll get to see her smile tonight.

Kevin D. Hester

M A R R I E D L I F E - Marriage Poem he wrote!

AS YOU START OUT ON A NEW LIFE, JOINED BY GOD, AS MAN AND WIFE. THERE WILL BE TIMES OF JOY, AND TIMES OF STRIFE. LIKE A GARDEN, A MARRIAGE TAKES TIME AND NUTURING TO GROW. LIKE A WEED, PROBLEMS WILL ARISE. BY ADDRESSING A PROBLEM, LIKE TENDING A GARDEN WEEDS OR PROBLEMS CAN BE OVERCOME. A WISE MOVE INDEED,IS TO TELL ONE ANOTHER OF YOUR WANTS AND NEEDS. BY DOING SO, YOU CAN COMMUNICATE ABOUT POSSIBLE PROBLEMS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.THERE WILL BE LAUGHTER AND TEARS TO SHARE. SHOW EACH OTHER BY WORDS AND DEEDS,JUST HOW MUCH YOU CARE. AND DO THIS, NOT ONLY ON SPECIAL DAYS,BUT SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER IN MANY WAYS. AND THROUGH THE YEARS, MAY YOUR LOVE FOR GOD, AND EACH OTHER CONTINUE TO GROW.

KEVIN D. HESTER

HOUSE POEM

…DEAR LORD ....

WE DEDICATE THIS HOUSE TO YOU. WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL RICHLY BLESS THIS HOUSE, AND THOSE THAT LIVE HERE. LORD, WE ASK THAT YOU WATCH OVER, PROTECT, AND STRENGTHEN THIS HOUSE.FILL IT WITH YOUR SPIRIT, WISDOM,AND LOVE.FILL IT WITH WARM MEMORIES, FAMILY,AND FRIENDS. WE ASK THAT STRANGERS MAY ENTER, AND LEAVE AS FRIENDS. AND THAT FRIENDS MAY GROW TO LOVE EACH OTHER MORE. LORD, WE KNOW THIS WILL BE DONE, BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE IN A PERSON'S HEART,YOU'RE IN THEIR HOME.

KEVIN D. HESTER

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. ~John Wayne No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~ Winston Churchill "Sometimes you have to hang on to Heaven with Hell on your back" Let your head be more than just a funnel to your stomach. -- German Proverb When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. — Victor Frankl "Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will prduce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success." --Lao Tzu The test of a person's character is in how they handle life's challenges. Our thoughts are silent words that only we and the Lord hear, but those words affect our inner man, our health, our joy and our attitude. Many people have told me that I've changed but the Truth is...I think I've just found Myself. " You can complain because ROSES have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have ROSES. " "God understands our prayers even when we can't find the words to say them." —Unknown "Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell." " SEE STUMBLING BLOCKS AS STEPPING STONES! " " Exercise Daily-Walk with the Lord. " " Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God will come to know God because they know you." Hope is the sun which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.—Samuel Smiles Faith makes things possible, not easy.—Author Unknown PRAYER...The world's greatest wireless connection! Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself.

— Richard Bach "You either sacrifice today to reach tomorrow's goals, or you give up your dreams in favor of the fleeting comfort that's distracting you." Dave Griffin "I'm a simple Jesus girl on a journey to finding deeper motivation than just a number on my scale for getting and staying healthy." Lysa Terkeurst "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use."

~ Earl Nightingale "Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results. " "Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." ~Oliver Goldsmith Do what you have to to be happy in this life..... (quote from Bridges of Madison County) The animals have no voice but ours.... (motto of our animal shelter) What have you done today to make yourself proud? (biggest loser) The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. "Always concentrate on how far you have come, rather than how far you have left to go. The difference in how easy it seems will amaze you." ---Heidi Johnson A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world. ~ John Locke The best way out is always through. ~ Robert Frost Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. ~ Robert Collier "We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough." -Helen Keller Your goals, minus your doubts, equal reality. I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday. Losing weight is hard. Maintaining weight is hard. Staying overweight is hard. Choose your hard. A 30 minute workout is just 2% of your day. You are much stronger than you think you are. FIND YOUR STRONG. There are 1,440 minutes in a day. Can't you spare 30 of them for exercise? www.prayingscriptures.com/nations.shtml ”It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Patrick Henry Proverbs 18: 10 The Lord is a strong fortress. . .K.J.V. A Must See the movie "Expelled" by Ben Stein, No Intelligence Allowed! We are incarcerated by our past, our low-road choices, and our high-minded pride. We have been found guilty! Our executioner’s footsteps echo against stone walls. We sit on the floor of the dusty cell, awaiting the final moment. We don’t look up as he opens the door. We know what he’s going to say. “Time to pay for your sins.” But we hear something else! “You’re free to go. They took Jesus instead of you!” The door swings open, the guard barks, “Get out.” And we find ourselves shackles gone, crimes pardoned, wondering, what just happened? Grace happened! Christ took away your sins. Romans 3 says: “God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.” What happened? Grace happened! From GRACE by Max Lucado The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:22-26 (NIV) Irene from Texas Never give up, never quit, never surrender You only fail when you stop trying There is nothing to hold you back except you. You can press forward long after you can’t. It’s a matter of wanting it bad enough. The bad news is: we are our own worst enemies. The good news is: we are our own greatest champions. If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results.

"MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH THE WONDER OF WOW!!! INSTEAD OF THE WONDER OF WHY? Kevin D. Hester on 5/26/2013

S = Strive to exceed daily with a combined mind-body-soul balance! E = Exhibit a Do-It-Now attitude, honoring 100% commitment! P = Promote healthy nutrition and expand fitness activities! T = Transform setbacks into comebacks! E = Expect results utilizing positive thoughts, decisions and actions! M = Maintain a healthy lifestyle that will last forever! B = Bring out the very best in you and your abilities! E = Enjoy your journey of self-improvements and self-discovery! R = Recognize how Sparktacular you are in all that you do!

Erin! Think of healthy living as a career. Make goal setting a regular part of your life. Become a permanent participant in sustaining better lifestyle choices. Focus on one goal at a time to become a healthier you. Develop an action plan for each goal and finish what you start. Each positive change will lead you to better results. You CAN and WILL turn your GOALS into the results that you are striving for!

G = Give each goal 100% of commitment from beginning to completion! O = Open your mind to new ways of doing new things! A = Add variety to nutrition plan, fitness activities and inner well-being goals! L = Live life embracing healthy choices, positive changes and personal growth! S = Strive to exceed daily with a combined mind-body-soul balance!

Erin, it is the last month of the year! With temptations of holiday foods let’s remain focused on our December goals that will lead us into the New Year with sparktacular results!

D = Daily Reflection: Visualize your hopes and dreams until each are met! E = Embrace your journey with optimism, commitment and follow-through! C = Choose effective goals for each day that fits best for your lifestyle! E = Eat healthy nutrition, diversify fitness activities and mindful well-being! M = Measure progress without scale by the results that you see and feel! B = Be patient and always persevere by turning obstacles into achievements! E = Encourage, support and inspire others by sharing your success! R = Remember, You are Worthy! You CAN Do It! You are a Winner!

May you always be fulfilled with the Blessings of Hope, the Spirit of Serenity and the Gift of Happiness. Have a beautiful and blessed holiday season. Love and hugs always.

Erin! Let’s make this Thanksgiving holiday a great time to focus on our health! Promote healthy nutrition, expand fitness minutes and thrive for emotional wellness to achieve optimum health! Moderation, balance and consistency are the keys to avoiding holiday pitfalls! TOGETHER, we CAN turn our NOVEMBER goals into extraordinary results! Have a happy and healthy holiday month!

N = Nothing can replace you because you are a very special person! O = Overcome each obstacle by never giving up and never giving in! V = Visualize and trust that all goals and dreams are possible! E = Embrace inner well-being, healthy nutrition and fitness activity! M = Maintain focus on each goal, daily commitment and follow-through! B = Believe in yourself that you are a winner in all that you do! E = Encourage and inspire others by sharing your success! R = Remember, you are the SPARK that creates extraordinary results!